The following notable disasters overtook Libraries
The 5th Century Buddhist Library of Nalanda.
!000's of volumes covering the arts, sciences, literature and languages. It was a focal point for scholars across Asia. It was burnt to the ground in 1193.
The Mayan Chronicles
A written record of Mayan civilisation, destroyed by Spanish invaders. Its remnants include writings on astronomy, horoscopes, calendars and religious rituals
Zucotti Park
Formed and curated by the Occupy Wall Street movement, this "People's Library" was resourced by donations from volunteers, protestors and authors. It held cultural events, poetry sessions and children's events. It was raided, on the instructions of Mayor Bloomberg in November 2011. The vast majority of its books were it is understood, trashed.
Dudley Libraries and Archive Services
Were saved by people who refused to accept further encroachments into the common good and shared benefit of community well-being and municipality. Refusing to join the list of desecrated learning, common history and understanding, they fought a long fight against the cynics because they knew
“A cynic is a man who knows the price of everything, and the value of nothing.”
And knowing this allowed them to show others that there are decent islands of fair-minded people who worked hard to serve their communities and brought extensive professional meaningfulness to their workplace. It was the beginning of a reawakening of engagement, belongng and civic pride. Something almost lost was saved. Their actions are now seen as part of groundswell that holds elected members and officers to account and have energised local democracy.
